News

Voter support for MSU Extension underscores importance of services, 4-H

Every county ballot requesting millage renewals for Michigan State University Extension was approved in recent elections.

MSU Extension Director Quenten Tyler tells Brownfield, “Those millages underscore the value of what we do.”

“It shows how Michigan taxpayers invest in us, and also, we invest in them. A very important component of that is our outreach to youth.”

Voters in Alger, Alpena, Clare, Gratiot, Ionia, Luce, Montcalm, Ogemaw, Osceola, Schoolcraft and Wexford Counties supported requests in August for county-level funding of local 4-H programming, county fairs, and other Extension operations.

Tyler says 4-H is an integral part of helping young people explore and prepare for their futures.

“When we talk about in-school programs, we talk about out-of-school programs, whatever the vehicle may be to reach a kid, a lot of times when we look at our school system, there may be gaps in those respective schools, but 4-H can fill those gaps,” he shares.

A new Michigan 4-H Alumni and Friends Network was launched earlier this year to better engage members with local and state opportunities once they age out of programs.

“I get motivated, inspired by those youth, because I see myself in them and I was with those folks too where I had a 4-H agent who I looked up to who was my mentor,” he shares. “A lot of these folks, 4-H educators, are mentors in our respective communities too. And, 4-H is needed out there, and we’re here for everybody.”

Tyler says Michigan 4-H and the MSU Office of Admissions have also signed a Memorandum of Understanding, encouraging 4-H professionals in MSU Extension county offices to assist students interested in the university in finding pathways to admissions and other opportunities. Admissions staff also direct MSU-interested youth to Michigan 4-H programming.